About 3D Model Block for a Block-Based Part

Each part size of a part family represents a real-world building systems part, such as a piece of equipment. For each part size, you must create a 3D model block to represent the part size as it would look in the real world. All model blocks must be created using AutoCAD® solids in order to support automatic generation of view blocks, as well as rendering, shading, and hiding in 3D model views. Each 3D model block must be saved in an AutoCAD drawing file. You can save one or more model blocks in the same drawing file.

Attention: Do not save the model block drawings in the catalog folders of AutoCAD MEP 2022 toolset. These are working files and should be saved in a separate, or temporary, folder.

You should create the model block based on the standard AutoCAD UCS orientation to ensure that the individual view blocks generated by Content Builder are correct. Using the SW isometric view, create the model block at an insertion point of 0,0,0 in the world coordinate system (WCS). This ensures that each view block generated aligns to the respective side of the model block as follows:

The…	aligns with the…	in the…
top view block	top side of the model block	XY plane.
bottom view block	bottom side of the model block	XY plane.
front view block	front side of the model block	XZ plane.
back view block	back side of the model block	XZ plane.
left view block	left side of the model block	YZ plane.
right view block	right side of the model block	YZ plane.

Note: To ensure correct display control of part sizes when a part is added to your drawings, draw geometry for the model block on layer 0, assign BYBLOCK for color and linetype, and assign BYLAYER for lineweight.

Sample 3D model block of an air handling unit